Word Origin & History

tape O.E. tæppe "narrow strip of cloth used for tying, measuring, etc.," of uncertain origin, perhaps a back-formation from L. tapete "carpet." The original short vowel became long in M.E. The verb is from 1609; meaning "to make a tape recording" is from 1950. Tape recorder "device for recording sound on magnetic tape" first attested 1932; from earlier meaning "device for recording data on ticker tape" (1892), from tape in the sense of "paper strip of a printer" (1884). Tape-measure is attested from 1873; tape-delay is from 1968.

Example Sentences for tape

But it was not around their uncle that the tape measure went, it was around Bob!

The tape is first folded and creased by rubbing over an edge.

Roll the meat of the feet up in the pork, tie it up in a cloth with tape round it, and boil it till it becomes very tender.

When quite tender take off the tape, lay the meat on a dish, strain the gravy over it, and serve it up with currant jelly.

Roll the meat up as tight as possible, and bind it round with a cloth and tape; then boil it gently for seven or eight hours.

"I hope he finds his Martha," the robot croaked, and then the tape broke.

It was not the thought of his own tape that bothered Arnold.

The tape was covered with figures and fine, even German writing.

Then cover the Vaseline with tape, which Should be run well back from the terminal.